Seasonally-induced-home-sickness. Northern-hemisphere-displaced-persons affliction. Whatever you want to call it, it happens to me every year about this time. You’d think that after seeing everyone during our recent trip it wouldn’t be as bad, but somehow it’s worse. It’s not that Sydney isn’t gorgeous but, as anyone who lives far away from home knows, the holidays can be pretty hard.
It’s the night before Thanksgiving in the US right now. Most of my family is back in Philly, mom is playing hostess extraordinaire, my cousin is baking pie and my niece is saying ‘Hi Yay-Yay‘ through the phone. I’m wishing I was there but instead of preparing a meal for 20 or so people, I’ve been eating pie for breakfast all week. Today, in the absence of more pie, I made a vegan Pumpkin Chai Latte.
Hypothetically I should post something pumpkin or cranberry related today, and while there will be more of that between now and Christmas, this gem of a smoothie has been hanging around for a while. Not to mention, after all that holiday indulgence – or in preparation for the rapidly approaching silly season – you may well need a healthy boost…
It’s pretty well known that I’m not a fan of packaged food. Back when we went unprocessed a few years ago it was one of the first things to go. These days the things in our cupboards that come in packages are few and far between – and in general contain raw ingredients [beans, nuts, flours, grains etc] that require packaging to simply get them home from the store. The occasional others have ingredient lists that I could [and often do] use as recipes.
Anyway, being a food blogger I occasionally get surprises sent to me. It is very rarely, thank goodness, packaged food so when a box of coconut water showed up I was hesitant. I drink coconut water from young coconuts quite often – and the benefits are huge – but every one I’ve tasted from a bottle has been pretty gross. However, this stuff is quite good and I’ll admit it, I was surprised.
Organic, no odd plastic flavour from a bottle, no aluminum can with, well aluminum, and no knife needed. Will this replace my whole young coconuts for good? No.
Is it an excellent substitute when I get home from yoga, have no coconut in the fridge and really want a cold coconut water with lime or a healthy smoothie? You bet. Insert yoga cliche here, I’m ok with it.
So what’s the big secret about this smoothie? Well the colour should tip you off a little bit… It’s not the first time I’ve used avocado in sweet treats, just go with it, trust me, or don’t, but it’s worth a taste before you judge too much.
Do you drink coconut water or have any after-exercise tips for recovery? How about tips for homesickness? How about pie, anyone have some pie?
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Big Secret Power-up Smoothie #1 – Green Machine Smoothie
Protein, potassium, electrolytes and good fats, this really is a power smoothie. Could you use all coconut water? Of course. Could you use all almond or other non-dairy milk? Sure, whatever makes you happy. This smoothie makes me happy.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 small, ripe avocado – or 1/2 a large one
- 1 frozen banana, cut into chunks
- 1/2 c almond milk
- 1/2 c coconut water
- 1 – 2 tsp chia seeds
METHOD:
Blend all ingredients together. Enjoy.
Makes one smoothie.
*NOTES
- Add the liquid a bit at a time and you can control the thickness – or thinness – of the smoothie to suit your own tastes.
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BONUS ROUND: Big Secret Power-up Smoothie #2 – Vegan Chocolate Smoothie
Remember that to-die-for Vegan Chocolate Ice Cream? Yeah, this is that, in a smoothie. Go forth. Thank me later.
INGREDIENTS:
- Big Secret Power-up Smoothie #1
- 1-2 Tbsp cocoa powder
METHOD:
Blend. Jump for joy. Yippee.
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Thanks to C Coconut Water for the samples. The content of this post is my opinion and not sponsored, I just enjoyed the product and wanted to share.
Oh JJ! Try not to think “pumpkin things” this time of the year…I know the holidays are the hardest to deal with. Hmmm…you have me all curious now regarding this smoothie. I just invested in a high speed blender. Will def try your recipe. All the best.
But I love pumpkin things ;D I use a simple handheld immersion blender but am slightly jealous of your high-speed one!
I don’t have pie but I’d like some! I bet the holidays are tough but eating pie would make it just a little bit easier.
I’ve baked with avo before but never thought to put it in my smoothies. Considering I quite often have spinach, carrot and any other odd veges from the crisper in my breakfast smoothie, a bit of avo won’t scare me!
Yum! I am such a fan of smoothies, definitely have to give this a try 🙂
I am a total coconut water addict. It is my solution to most ailments. SO refreshing!
Looks delicious.
This looks amazing!
I usually hate comments like the one I’m about to make … but any suggestions on what would be good to replace the banana with?
Hi Grace, hahaha no problem! This one would work very well with frozen mango instead of banana – although the chocolate version may not be as good 😉